BEP 42 – English for Meetings: Opening a Meeting

This is the first in a two-part intermediate Business English Podcast lesson on opening and managing meetings. In this episode, we’ll look at how to open a meeting. In the second part (BEP 43) we’ll look at language you can use to manage the discussion.

The listening takes place in the Singapore offices of Daneline, an international shipping company. Martin, the GM, is chairing a meeting with Sandra, David and Sam to discuss a budget shortfall. Shortfall means their budget has fallen short of expectations. In other words, they don’t have enough money, so they need to make some cuts. To chair a meeting is to lead the meeting. We can say that Martin is the chairperson. So in these two episodes on opening and managing meetings, you’ll be learning language for chairing meetings.

Listening Quiz
1) What is the amount of the budget shortfall?
2) Why doesn’t Sandra have a copy of the agenda?
3) How many possible cuts are under discussion?
4) What is the first item on the agenda?

*** This lesson is part of our Business English eBook for meetings: Meeting Essentials. Premium members click here to download the complete eBook.

Members: Study Notes | Quizzes | PhraseCast | Lesson Module

Download: Podcast MP3

5 thoughts on “BEP 42 – English for Meetings: Opening a Meeting”

  1. Your site is really a good one. The contents are really pertinent. I have found a lot of the site on the business english, but I think yours is the best. In addition, your business mode is new and attractive.(a little pity, I cannot download the phrasecast by itunes, so I have to add it to my library manually ).

    Please, note that you attached the wrong study note to the podcast BEP42 INT Meetings. In fact, the BEP41: study notes related to the previous Podcast BEP41SN Interview2.

  2. I agree this is the best of all for business English study and practice, besides it is attractive, motivating and you never want to stop practising…it is an excellent tool and we look forward to learning more … It is a pleasure to read and listen to, very intelligent , exceptional way to make business English enjoyable !!! thank you , and congratulations !

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